Dolmabahçe Palace & Bosphorus Cruise Tour

03.12.2023

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Dolmabahçe Palace & Bosphorus Cruise Tour

Highlights

1.5-hour Istanbul Bosphorus cruise
Cruise from Rumeli Hisarı Fortress along the famous Bosphorus Strait
Visit the Dolmabahce Palace and its marvellous Ottoman and Byzantine architecture
Driving on the Bosphorus Bridge between Two continents
Best view of old town Istanbul from the Pierre Lotti Hill

Departure

We’ll pick you up from your hotel between 08:00 – 08:30

(Only from Sultanahmet, Laleli, Taksim areas)

Itinerary

During the journey, you will be visiting these places in the following order;

- - Dolmabahçe Palace, recent residence for Ottoman Sultans built by two Ottoman architects Karabet and Nikogos Balyan on a 110.000 m² area and served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Famous with great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls.
  - Pierre Lotti Hill, is a famous hilltop located near Sultanahmet. The hill is named after the French novelist and naval officer, Pierre Loti (real name Julien Viaud), who was stationed in Istanbul during the late 19th century. Loti was enchanted by the city’s beauty and often visited this hill to find inspiration for his writings.
  - Cable Ride will provide you a perfect picturesque view of the city and the old town of Istanbul. This is a great time to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.
  - Eyup Sultan Mosque, is one of the most significant and revered religious sites in Istanbul. The mosque is named after Eyüp Sultan, who was a close companion and standard-bearer (sancak beyi) of the Prophet Muhammad. According to tradition, Eyüp Sultan died during the Arab siege of Constantinople (now Istanbul) in the 7th century. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the mosque was built to honor his memory and serve as a place of worship.
  - Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of Istanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age.
  - Shopping, after taking in the great views and as well as history of the city. Time is left to enjoy it at your own pace. A short while later, we will transfer you to our private boat for your next trip.
  - Bosphorus Cruise on private boat, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments.
  - Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes.
  - Rumeli Fortress (from the boat no interior visit), historical armament built by Mehmed the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture. (Visit to a leather showroom if time permits)